MSA is pleased to announce that Professional Land Surveyor James Erickson recently passed the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Exam, earning his Remote Pilot License for flying drones. This certificate marks the expansion of the company Aerial Solutions team, with Erickson leading the surveying end of piloting for client projects.

Receipt of this certificate requires passing an aeronautical knowledge test as designated by the FAA at an approved knowledge testing center, and the registration and operation of drones only within parameters as defined by the FAA, subject to inspection or testing upon request. Testing topics include knowledge of regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft, rating privileges, airspace classification, flight restrictions, emergency and radio communication procedures, airport operations, flight operations and an understanding of maintenance and pre-flight inspection protocol.

Erickson’s licensure makes him the third FAA certified drone pilot at MSA, part of the company’s Aerial Solutions team who capture data to pair with visualization and rendering software for client deliverables, for real-time infrastructure and surveying needs, and to assist with 3D modeling and mapping for community planning and public engagement purposes.

Erickson joined MSA in 2018 and serves as a senior project surveyor at the company’s location in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He is a Registered Land Surveyor in that state, and earned his degree from the Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis.